buzz: Norte Street Food

Bringing you food and culture from the pueblos of Northern Mexico to the heart of Fernwood Avenue

You may have noticed a new restaurant has emerged in the cozy nook between Aubergine and the Fernwood Inn on Gladstone. What caught your eye? Perhaps it was the people lining up to get their hands on a freshly made taco, rich aromas coming from the grill, the creative décor and ingenious use of space or the smiling faces of the customers and staff enjoying conversation? No matter. Norte’s authentic northern Mexico cuisine and rich culture will keep you coming back.

Norte (aka North) is not your ordinary taco stand. Their diverse menu of simple, tasty, healthy food is made with love and reflects the owners’, Claudia Garza and Ryan Acheson’s, passionate vision to bring a real experience of northern Mexican culture right to the heart of Fernwood.

Garza is from Monterrey, a once vibrant Mexican mountain town known for its desert, ranches, bull riders, and unique variation on traditional Mexican food and drink. Acheson, originally hailing from BC moved to Monterrey to be with his new wife and set up a life together. Unfortunately, the so-called ‘war on drugs’ had another casualty. In this case, it was the ability of the locals of Monterrey to feel safe in their own city and express their cultural pride and way of life on the streets and in their homes. Garza recalls a time when she felt completely embraced and safe in her community. Her grandfather owned several restaurants, her uncles were bull riders and it was a common experience to share tacos on the streets and sing traditional songs under the sun or night sky. Tragically, these old ways are now a memory replaced by drug cartels and violence. Rather than giving in though, Garza decided to use these memories as fuel to bring the cherished Monterrey spirit to Fernwood. She certainly is succeeding!  Norte’s handcrafted, locally-sourced food and drink will transplant your senses all the way to Northern Mexico. You won’t want to ever leave.

Staying true to the tastes of Monterrey, Norte offers six inch yellow corn flour tortillas (non-gmo), packs them full of a consortium of different meat and vegetarian options and garnishes them with your choice of salsa, lime, cilantro and chopped onion. Acheson explains that all of their ingredients are sourced from the best local options he can find. Their deal of three tacos for ten dollars will leave you full and nourished for a long time.

In the words of Garza, “Love is our fuel that brings passion to our food. We cook with ingredients we want to eat. Fresh and local, authentically Mexican and always real. With flavours from Monterrey, my true north. Enjoy and embrace our culture. Welcome to Mexico.”

Norte is proudly serving tacos and agua fresca on Wednesday through Saturday from 11:30 am till 7pm & Sunday noon till 5pm. Be sure to look out for their new dinner menu and late night weekend hours.